Post game notes, quotes

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
January 24, 2012 (Game 47, Home Game 22)
Madison Square Garden – New York, New York

Team Notes:

– The Rangers defeated the Winnipeg Jets, 3-0, tonight at Madison Square Garden for their third win in four games, and are now 14-4-0 in their last 18 games. … New York has posted a record of 31-12-4 (66 pts) on the season, including a 15-5-2 mark at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have registered at least one point in 30 of their last 39 games (28-9-2), dating back to Oct. 29, after beginning the season with a 3-3-2 mark. … The Rangers have posted an 8-3-0 record in their last 11 home games. The Blueshirts’ 15-5-2 (32 pts) mark at MSG is their best start at home through 22 games since 1995-96 (17-2-3, 37 pts). … New York improved to 3-0-0 against Winnipeg this season, including a 2-0-0 mark at home. The Rangers have out-scored the Jets, 8-1, in the series, with a pair of 3-0 victories at MSG. The Blueshirts’ penalty kill has also held the Jets scoreless in seven shorthanded situations in three games. … The Rangers opened up a two point lead over the Boston Bruins for first place in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, and are now one point shy of Detroit for first in the NHL overall. … The Blueshirts’ penalty kill was 2-2 (4:00) against the Jets, and has now held opponents scoreless in 13 of the last 14 games (31-32, 96.9% over the span), including in six straight (14 times shorthanded). New York is 56-61 (91.8%) on the penalty kill with five shorthanded goals in the last 23 contests.

Player Notes:

– Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves to post his fifth shutout of the season and 40th of his career, and now moves into a tie with Dave Kerr for second place on the Rangers’ all-time shutouts list. He improved to 22-10-4 overall, including an 11-5-2 mark at MSG. Lundqvist has allowed one goal or less in nine of his last 16 games, and has held opponents to two or fewer goals in 24 games this season. He ranks seventh among active goalies in career shutouts, and is one of only two NHL goaltenders to record 40 or more shutouts since 2005-06 (Martin Brodeur, 41). *courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau … Ryan Callahan opened the game’s scoring at 4:05 of the first period, added an assist, and registered three hits and a plus-two rating in 20:31 of ice time to earn second star honors. He has recorded two straight multi-point games, and has registered five points (three goals, two assists) in the last four contests. … Brad Richards tallied a goal and won a game-high, 14-21 faceoffs (67%) in 20:15 of ice time. He has recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in the last two games. … John Mitchell registered one goal and won 2-2 faceoffs (100%) in 10:55 of ice time. He has recorded three goals and a plus-three rating in the last five games. … Brian Boyle recorded an assist on the game-winning goal, and led all forwards with three blocked shots in the contest. He also posted a plus-one rating in the game, and has now posted a plus or even rating in 29 of the last 37 games. … Anton Stralman tallied the primary assist on the game-winning goal and was credited with two blocked shots in 21:49 of ice time. He has logged 20:00+ of ice time in nine of his 24 games this season. … Derek Stepan recorded an assist and was credited with two hits in 17:58 of ice time. He has registered four points (one goal, three assists) and a plus-six rating in the last six games. … Michael Del Zotto tallied the primary assist on Mitchell’s second period goal, was credited with two hits and two blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating in 26:16 of ice time. He has now recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) in nine career regular season games against the Winnipeg Jets franchise. … Dan Girardi was credited with a game-high, six hits, tied for the team lead with three blocked shots and led all skaters with 26:35 of ice time. He also posted a plus-one rating in the contest, and is now plus-six in his last nine games.

Transaction Update:

– New York Rangers’ President and General Manager, Glen Sather, announced that goaltender Chad Johnson has been assigned to the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL). He dressed as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup in tonight’s contest after being recalled from Connecticut earlier in the day on an emergency basis.

Post-Game Quotes:

– John Tortorella on the team heading into the All-Star break…

“Going into these last three here I thought we put some good minutes together. We played a really good game against Boston (on Saturday). I thought we really concentrated on defending first tonight. I think it’s a good time for a break. I’m happy where our mindset was for this game here. This game worried me, after an emotional game in Boston, against a team that played back-to-back, that’s a little banged up – you wonder how your players feel about it. I don’t think we have looked by anything. There have been a number of trap games and we’ve handled ourselves well. I’m happy with the group and I hope they have a good break and we get right back at it when we start.”

– Henrik Lundqvist on the team…

“We still know we have parts of our game that we have to improve. Personally, I know there’s part of my game I have to improve as well. We just have to keep challenging ourselves to try to get better, and the challenge is to just stay on top. So far it’s been a good ride.”

– Dan Girardi on the team’s resiliency…

“I think that’s the difference between this year’s team and the years past. I think the way we responded with the losses to come right back and get the win and not lose two or three in a row.”

– Brad Richards on Henrik Lundqvist…

“He’s playing like he always has. I’ve watched him from afar. I knew he was a great goalie. But seeing him every night, it’s pretty nice to know if you’re going to have a breakdown there’s a good chance he’s going to save it.”

Team Schedule:

– Please note the Blueshirts do not have practice scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 25.

– The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, January 31, at Prudential Center (7:00 p.m.), in their first game after the NHL All-Star break. The game will be televised live on MSG 2 and can be heard on 970 The Apple.

Carp, I liked your article on Callahan. However since i hold you to a higher standard than other journalists, I expected something better. You hit the nail on the head with the theme: Ryan Callahan is the embodiment of this team and that’s why he’s the Captain.

He happens to be my favorite player because he’s tough, sticks up for his teammates, and does EVERYTHING the right way. His hands have improved and he’s breaking his previous offensive benchmarks. Cally is the closest thing the Rangers have to the dying breed of the power forward. The 5 tool player you hear about in the MLB: scores goals, hits, blocks shots, grinds, PKs, grinds, he does it all. If he wanted to score 40 goals I believe he could but then he’d just be another floating 40 goal scorer.

Everyone looks up to him and works harder because of him. He’s not the “silent captain” (a la Drury); he says what needs to be said and people follow his example. You got that right and we all get it. This was tapped into a little too much IMO and I found it a tad shallow in the grand scheme.

Toughguy Tortorella who never placates to injuries looking down his bench and wishing/admitting he had Cally at his disposal was the best part. I would have liked to read an actual quote or two.

I thought your article on Girardi (which was likely buried), who is the Rangers best Dman, was masterful. You did digging and dealt with the not protecting Gaborik ordeal concisely for the haters.

I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, and take it as a compliment because I think you are the best Rangers reporter today. I’m likely bias because Callahan is everything I want to see in an NHL captain. Just my two cents.